Cambridge City secured a 2:1 victory over Redbridge in the first round qualifying of the FA Trophy on Friday evening. The match concluded at the Abbey Stadium with the home side holding on for a narrow win despite late pressure from the visitors. To be fair, the result reflected a game where moments counted more than possession.
Cambridge City opened the scoring at the ten-minute mark, taking an early lead that they would defend for most of the contest. Redbridge responded with increasing urgency, and their pressure materialised at the ninety-minute mark when they pulled one back. By then, the visitors had been forced to chase the game, and despite their late surge, they could not find an equaliser.
Discipline was an issue for the hosts, who picked up two yellow cards during the match. The first came at thirty-one minutes, followed by another at sixty-five minutes. Redbridge avoided bookings entirely, which perhaps speaks to their more cautious approach away from home.
Statistically, the match was evenly balanced. Cambridge City registered 49 attacks compared to Redbridge's 42, while possession was split almost evenly at 49 per cent to 51 per cent. The visitors won more corners, eight to six, but could not convert their superiority into a result.
The victory gives Cambridge City a foothold in the competition, while Redbridge's run comes to an end. The home side's recent form has been mixed, with losses against Cambridge United and Malbarton Wanderers in their last five outings, so this result provides some momentum heading forward.